Car insurance news

Car insurance firms give winter warning

Car insurance companies are warning motorists to be on the lookout for thieves indulging in 'frosting' car crime.

Every day tens of thousands of drivers leave their cars unattended whilst warming up the engine and defrosting the windows, going back inside the house for a cup of tea in the warm. But thieves have started to cotton-on to this and are beginning to target households, with statistics showing that 121,730 crimes of this type have been reported in the last five years.

Richard Clark, Sainsbury's Car Insurance Manager, said, "More advanced security systems, locks and immobilisers have meant that it has become more difficult to steal cars.

"However, many thieves are opportunists and could strike if you leave your car running unattended. We are concerned that the predicted extreme cold weather will result in more people taking the risk and becoming victims of frosting."

Motor insurance firms aren't necessarily obliged by law to pay out for the theft of a car that is left unattended with the keys in the ignition, so it is wise to make sure that you stay with your vehicle whilst it's warming up.

Even if your car insurance company does pay up in the result of a 'frosting' theft, you will lose your no claims discount, and so next time you renew your policy you could struggle to find a cheap car insurance deal.